File Panel

Open

Spec now saves as a "project" .PMX file. The "Open" command will open the New file extension for Spec. To Open a .SIF file, you will need to import a .SIF

Save

Spec now saves as a "project" .PMX file. The "Open" command will open the New file extension for Spec. To Open a .SIF file, you will need to import a .SIF Spec will now save as both a .PMX and a .SIF file. A .PMX file is a proprietary file extension specifically for Spec. Spec will automatically save a .PMX and .SIF This preference can be found by clicking the Settings icon on the Tools Tab This will bring up a window for preference settings. Auto Export will Automatically Save both a .PMX and .SIF The user has the preference to turn this feature on (check mark on) or off (no check mark).

Print

When you select the Print Command, this window will appear. The Template holds all of the printable reports. You can have as many templates as needed, and as many reports in a templates as needed. Spec4 templates can be converted by contacting cilsupport@configura.com.

Modify Panel

Cut, Copy, Paste

The "Cut" function removes the currently selected text and places it on the clipboard. The clipboard on a computer functions as temporary storage for the last item you've cut or copied. After you cut the line, you won't see it on your screen, but you can place it on the spreadsheet using the "Paste" function. You can perform a cut on selected text by pressing the "Cut" button in the Home Tab.. or by pressing "Alt+X" (still not working).

When you press "Alt-C" or click the "Copy" button on the Home tab, the computer copies the selected text into the clipboard. The text also remains in its original location. By pasting copied text, you duplicate it, making it faster to reuse the line over and over. Ctrl+C performs a cell Copy, as does F3.

The "Paste" button on the Home tab places the current contents of the clipboard into the document at the flashing cursor's location. You can also paste by pressing "Alt+V." When you paste text, the computer does not remove it from the clipboard, so you can paste it multiple times or in several places without needing to copy it again. Turning off your computer or rebooting empties the clipboard.

Delete

You can easily delete a line by selecting the line and pressing the Delete button. The Same function can be completed by using the Alt+Del on your keyboard. You can also select a cell and press the Delete key on your keyboard to delete information from a call. You can also delete a line by selecting a line and R-clicking. A menu will pop up, and you can select Delete Line You can also delete a line by selecting a line and R-clicking. A menu will pop up, and you can select Delete Record(s).

Undo/Redo

Undo will erase up to the last 20 commands. The user can Click the Undo Tool on the Toolbar or Press CTRL+Z.

Redo will reverse the previously selected Undo Command up to 20 times. Redo can be found on the home tab, or by typing CTRL+Y.

Catalog Panel

Part Specifier

The Part Specifier is where the User will select Finishes for a line item.

Since the catalog reader is now docked and always visible, to input a new part number you browse through in the docked Reader. The F2 on a blank line will not work, like in Spec4. You can F2 a line once you have entered a part number or need to option or re-option a part, this will bring up the part specifier window.

Catalog Manager

The Catalog Manager is where the User we turn a Manufacturer's Data on/off.

The Spec Catalog Manager allows the user to organize their installed catalogs. You can open and close catalogs, control which catalogs are active or inactive, and change where your catalogs are located. The Catalog Manager can be accessed on the Home Tab, View Tab, Price Tab, and by Clicking on the Settings Wheel in the docked Catalog Information window.

Picture

The Picture Command brings up a larger thumbnail of the Picture assigned to a line item.

Find Panel

Find

Quickly Find something in the Project based on criteria.

The Find dialog box has two halves, upper and lower. The upper half defines which record(s) will be included in the "Find" portion of the function. The lower half allows the user to define what data they are looking for.

• Click the Down arrow to select Criteria for In the Field
• Once the In the Field Criteria is selected the Find Text drop down will automatically give all the options available based on the project
• In the "Matching" field, the user decides whether they want the data in the "Find the TExt" field to match the whole text of the field, the start or end of the text, or any part of the text.
• Use the "Find Next" button to search for the next occurrence of the data you are looking for after the active record.

Errors

Apply a filter to show only line items that are showing an Error.

This button can be found on the Home Tab and filters all the Errors so they can be found quickly. You must click ERRORS again to remove the filter.

Replace

Quickly Replace information in the Project based on criteria.

The Replace dialog box has two halves, upper and lower. The upper half defines which record(s) will be included in the "Replace" portion of the function. The lower half allows the user to define what data they are looking for. Click the Down arrow to select Criteria for "In the Field" Once the "In the Field" Criteria is selected the "Find Text" drop down will automatically give all the options available based on the project In the "Matching" field, the user decides whether they want the data in the "Find the Text" field to match the whole text of the field, the start or end of the text, or any part of the text. Type in the information to Replace information from the "Find Text" field. Use the "Replace" button to Execute the Replace Command.

Quick Search

Apply a filter based on 3 characters or more entered in the Quick Search bar.

This may be on of the fastest ways in Spec to find something in your file! The Quick Search will search and filter based on all fields

Combinations Panel

Join

Combines like records with matching criteria in the active SIF file and totals the quantity. Spec has the ability to combine like records into a single record, retaining the sum of their quantities. Enhanced feature: Join no longer deletes all values from fields that are unchecked for 100% match. 

Merge

Inserts a reference to another existing SIF file into the active record. The Merge function inserts a reference to another .SIF or .PMX file into the active Project. .

To merge a SIF into the current SIF:

1. Click on the Merge icon or press (F9).
2. Select the SIF file you want to merge.
3. Press the “Open” button
4. Enter the quantity. The quantity essentially acts as a multiplier for the imported data. The total value of the imported SIF will be multiplied by the number the user enters here.
5. Click "OK". The icon in the OK field shows that this record is in fact a merged SIF. The part Number field contains the abbreviated file name of the .SIF file. The Part Description field contains the title of the merged SIF. The unit List field displays the cost of the merged SIF, whereas the Ext. List field shows the cost of the merged SIF multiplied by the quantity set by the user. Note- The full file name of the merged SIF appears only in spreadsheet view, in the Long File Name field.

Expand Merge (Explode)

Replaces references to existing SIF file(s) with the individual record details of those files. Expand Merge copies the records of a .SIF or .PMX file on the hard drive into the current Project.

The Merge function inserts a reference to another .SIF or .PMX file into the active Project. To merge a SIF into the current SIF:

1. Click on the Merge icon or press (F9).
2. Select the SIF file you want to merge.
3. Press the “Open” button

Move/Copy Column

The Move/Copy Column command allows the user to copy or move data from one Spec data column to another.

The Move/Copy Column command allows the user to copy or move data from one column to another. The command allows the user to either Move or Copy information from one Column to a second Column. They can also Overwrite the current information in a column.